Vintage Rolex authenticity

I keep hearing among my friends that they are afraid to take the plunge because they've heard far too many stories on the vintage Rolexs not being authentic - i.e, lots of fakes, interchanged parts that do not originally come with the watch, fake+real parts assembled together etc.

Will the RSC authentication be enough to comment on the genuinity of these vintages? How else apart from buying from a respected source (i,e, well respected dealers) can one ensure that one is buying a true piece of history and not junk?

I really look forward in discussing this, as I must admit this is one big reason from witholding me back from vintage Rolexs in the past...til I made the plunge 2 months back.

P.S. Nico, I owe you a post, but here is a pic to whet your appetite for now

Ahh, hasty fingers...here's the pic

By: Mr.Gatsby : July 15th, 2010-14:48

...

He He, Mr Gatsby...

By: amanico : July 15th, 2010-23:01

Nice one! As for your question, I think that doing your homework on this matter is vital, and interesting, also. My golden rule is that in case of any doubt, I pass on the watch. Another rule is to buy the seller, as it limits the problems, and, in case o...

A very strong point on the nitty gritty details

By: Mr.Gatsby : July 16th, 2010-00:21

dial, markers (good or relumed), writing (red), case etc. are certainly things to look at in great detail. Thanks mon ami : )

Ahh.. Definitely a Fake !!

By: gazoz : July 16th, 2010-03:51

And what are you referring to as fake? (nt) [nt]

By: Mr.Gatsby : July 16th, 2010-10:47

No message body

Actually I echo what Nic said

By: gazoz : July 16th, 2010-18:12

all valid points he made congrats on your catch too

Hey, Garry, Borat never said that it was a fake Red Sub! :))) [nt]

By: amanico : July 16th, 2010-23:21

No message body

:)) [nt]

By: gazoz : July 17th, 2010-00:25

No message body

Good post....

By: Pete17 : July 15th, 2010-16:34

I have found the best insurance on identifying genuine vintage Rolex's is to do your homework first. I mean really thorough homework and don't be afraid to ask more knowledgable collectors for their advice and opinions. There are lots of fakes out there b...

Thanks for the pointers Pete

By: Mr.Gatsby : July 16th, 2010-00:24

I guess the hardest part has to do with doing one's homework.

So many red subs

By: JDowning : July 16th, 2010-02:11

I once decided that I needed a vintage rolex. Ran around Hong Kong and looked at a lot of watches. it seemed that every dealer had several red subs. Maybe there is a high concentration of them here, but it made me suspicious. Agree that lots of homeworks ...